Watkins acquitted of all counts in Robbinsdale murder trial

A Hennepin County jury on Tuesday quickly acquitted one of two defendants in a 2008 New Year's Day home invasion killing of a Robbinsdale homeowner, making prosecutors question whether they will proceed to trial against the second man.

The jury deliberated only about two hours before returning not-guilty verdicts on all five charges against George Cornelius Watkins in the death of Jamis Marks, who was shot while trying to protect his wife from the robbers who burst into their home.

The jury's quick acquittal was a blow to the victims' family members, many of whom were in tears as they left the courtroom. Along with shocked and frightened neighbors, the families had waited and wondered for 10 months before authorities charged Watkins.

Keith Hemphill, who was charged later, was to be tried early next year, but Deputy County Attorney Pat Diamond said, "We're going to stop, reassess and try to figure out what we're going to do."

Jurors declined to comment Tuesday as they left the courthouse after finding Watkins, 28, not guilty of first- and second-degree murder and three counts of aggravated robbery.

Prosecutors had argued that Watkins was an accomplice of Hemphill, the man prosecutors say pulled the trigger that killed Marks, 28, in his home on the normally quiet 2700 block of York Avenue N.

After a New Year's Eve out, Heather and Jamis Marks returned home with friends Carly Scalzo and Robert Hangartner. Shortly after entering the house, Jamis Marks answered a knock on the door. Two men burst in with rifles and ordered the four to get face down on the floor.

Assistant County Attorney Dan Allard told the jury in his closing argument that Watkins picked up Heather Marks by the hair and led her around the house in search of valuables. Meanwhile, Jamis Marks "became incredibly concerned his wife had been gone too long," Allard said.

Marks jumped up and asked the other intruder, whom prosecutors say was Hemphill, what was going on. Hemphill is accused of responding by shooting Marks once in the neck and once in the side. The intruders fled as Marks stumbled through the house, bleeding, in search of his wife, who had hidden in a closet.

Jamis Marks died within hours at a hospital. Heather Marks required stitches. Scalzo and Hangartner were not seriously injured.

Credibility attacked

Defense lawyer Michael Colich, who burnished an already formidable reputation with the acquittals, said he was happy for the defendant but sad for the victims and their families.

He said, "I go home and tell my wife: 'It's the same story every time. I don't care what race you are or where you come from; you're entitled to the best representation there is.'"

The prosecution's case relied heavily on three witnesses: Watkins' former girlfriend Jamica Holden, her brother Tavon Timberlake and jail inmate Milan Busby.

After an initial investigation into two other men, the case stalled until Timberlake told police Watkins had given him a "deuce-deuce" -- a .22-caliber rifle -- and told him to be careful because it "had a body on it."

Holden testified she drove Watkins and Hemphill. She also said Watkins wore a T-shirt that night with skulls on it and gave her a wallet that had belonged to Jamis Marks as well as a ring and a coat. Heather Marks testified that her wedding ring and coat were stolen that night.

The rifle, car, ring and jacket were not in evidence at the trial. Only the wallet was recovered.

Busby testified that he met Watkins in the Hennepin County jail and that Watkins told him about being involved in a "lick" -- street slang for robbery -- during which someone was shot.

In his closing, Allard said Heather Marks chose Watkins from 30 men in a lineup, saying he may have been her attacker.

Colich, however, noted that Heather Marks had identified another man in an earlier lineup as her possible attacker.

Heather Marks testified she didn't get many looks at her attacker's face, but she clearly recalled his skulls T-shirt.

Midway through its short deliberations, the jury asked Judge Janet Poston whether Heather Marks identified Watkins by face, voice or both in a lineup. Poston told them to rely on their memories.

Just one witness

As the only defense witness, Colich called Terrance Ross, who teaches adolescent development at the University of Minnesota and with whom Watkins stayed occasionally in St. Paul.

Ross testified that in June 2008 Watkins put a call on a speaker phone from a woman who said she was "Mica," who claimed to be under pressure from police and her family to lie and say Watkins was involved in "a murder."

Colich argued vigorously that the main prosecution witnesses were criminals who only wanted to help themselves. He made much of the fact that Holden has not been charged in the murder, and he noted her many lies to police.

Colich said because of his testimony, Busby will soon be released and won't face a possible 15-year federal gun sentence.

"He worked the cops. He worked the prosecutor. He's working you," Colich told the jurors. He also noted that before Busby was moved to Hennepin County, he spent months in the Anoka County jail with Timberlake.

Though acquitted in the case, Watkins wasn't freed. He still faces two felony charges for false imprisonment and terroristic threats from June 2008. The charges involve Holden. He is to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday and is being held in lieu of $80,000 bail.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747